Inorganic: A attribute of an mineral; something that is not made up of things that were once living Crystal: A solid that is created from a repeating pattern of mineral particles. Element: A substance that is only created from one type of atom Compound: A substance that is created from different types of elements Mohs Hardness Scale: A scale that rates different rocks from 1-10. Streak: The color of a minerals' powder Luster: The attribute of a rock which how light reflects off the minerals' surface Cleavage: A property which a mineral splits easily on flat surfaces. Fracture: How a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way. Fluorescence: The property which a mineral glows under an ultraviolet light.
Outline
Properties of Minerals
What is a Mineral?
Naturally Occurring
Cannot be man-made.
Inorganic
Solid
Crystal Structure
Definite Chemical Composition
Identifying Minerals
Hardness
Uses Mohs hardness scale
Color
Minerals/Rocks can be the same color, but are different minerals.
Streak
Can identify rocks through the streak, and streaks are usually different colors from the color of the rock.
Luster
The lusters are metallic, earthy, pearly, glassy, waxy, and silky.
Density
Mass times weight.
Crystal Systems
There are six groups: Cubic, Hexagonal, Tetragonal, Orthorhombic, Monoclinic, Triclinic.
Table of Contents
Chapter 4.1
Vocabulary
Inorganic: A attribute of an mineral; something that is not made up of things that were once living
Crystal: A solid that is created from a repeating pattern of mineral particles.
Element: A substance that is only created from one type of atom
Compound: A substance that is created from different types of elements
Mohs Hardness Scale: A scale that rates different rocks from 1-10.
Streak: The color of a minerals' powder
Luster: The attribute of a rock which how light reflects off the minerals' surface
Cleavage: A property which a mineral splits easily on flat surfaces.
Fracture: How a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way.
Fluorescence: The property which a mineral glows under an ultraviolet light.
Outline
Properties of Minerals